Page 157 of Not Quite Dead Yet

‘I’m free?’ She took a tentative step forward. ‘Who was the cor-corro-cor– th-the witness?’

Jack pressed his lips together, an almost-smile. ‘I think you know him. Come on.’

Jet’s heart picked up, back where it belonged. Home. Her foot nudged something as she shuffled forward.

‘Oh, your pen.’ She bent to pick it up, the world tilting, almost throwing her off. She righted herself, passed the red pen to Jack, then looked back at her cell. Just once.

Patted her jacket pocket to feel them there, to check. Her letters, folded up. Safe. And she might not need them after all.

She was free.

She followed Mr Finney, holding her breath as she passed by the bars, crossed the threshold, that line, into the corridor beyond.

Through the door she couldn’t see, but she could see now, into the waiting room, the bench she’d been cuffed to, the front desk.

The officer who’d booked her was standing behind it. So was the chief, eyeing her as she stumbled past, face creasing – but not because he was sorry, Jet knew.

‘I’m free to go,’ she said, challenging him, eyeing him back, moving her hair out of her face with just one finger. Her middle finger.

The chief didn’t say anything, just watched her go, toward the glass-fronted door, the night and the moon waiting beyond.

Mr Finney opened the door for her.

‘Thank you,’ Jet said. ‘For the pen.’

Jack dipped his head, and Jet walked outside.

The night and the moon weren’t the only things waiting for her.

Jet’s blue truck, just there, in the parking lot.

Someone leaning against the hood, arms crossed, bunching his checked shirt, protecting his chest.

‘I got your voicemail,’ Billy called.

‘You did?’ Jet stopped.

‘Yeah.’ He pushed off the truck, crossed one of the headlights, glowing in front of it. ‘It was pretty long.’

‘Well, I had a lot to say.’ Jet cupped her hand over her eyes, to see Billy clearer. The clearest she’d ever seen him.

‘You’ve always got a lot to say.’ Billy smiled.

‘Didn’t think I’d ever see you again.’

Billy nodded, chewed his lip. ‘Do you see me now?’ Raised his arms.

‘Yeah,’ Jet said, ‘I see you. Do you see me?’

‘I’ve always seen you, Jet.’

Jet nodded, her heart in her throat.

‘OK,’ she called. ‘Can we stop being weird now?’

‘You first.’

Jet first.

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